The Union health ministry's decision to extend the validity of the referral slips issued to central government health scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries, seeking advanced treatment in private empanelled hospitals, has come as a big relief to them.
The CGHS Beneficiaries Association, Gurgaon, which has been spearheading the cause, has welcomed the move. Gurgaon has more than 40,000 CGHS beneficiaries.
The city has only one- Jacompura dispensary- which refers to hundreds of patients to empanelled hospitals like Artemis, Paras and Kalyani for advanced treatments as per the requirement.
According to one of the beneficiaries, SN Gupta, the hospitals also count the date of issuing referral slips. "That means we used to have only two days to rush to the facility. In some cases it was difficult. But ten days validity would be fine for all of us."
"It is a nice gesture especially for those who are dependent on pension and medical helps from CGHS dispensaries," said 81-year-old KL Khera.
He said, last year he was referred to the urology department of an empanelled hospital but he could not reach there within three days.
{{/usCountry}}He said, last year he was referred to the urology department of an empanelled hospital but he could not reach there within three days.
{{/usCountry}}For other beneficiaries like him, standing in long queues at the Jacompura dispensary for medical check ups and helps is a nightmare. This decision came on Friday after a survey conducted on the problems faced by the CGHS patients.
"It is one of the solutions. Many other developments are in the offing," said D Yograj Jangwal, senior chief medical officer in charge, CGHS, Gurgaon.